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Professor Rebecca Willis

Professor in Energy and Climate Governance

Rebecca Willis

LEC Building

LA1 4YQ

Lancaster

Research overview

I work on environment, climate and energy policy and politics. In particular, I look at the relationship between the citizen and state in climate governance.

Current Research

I run the Climate Citizens project, which examines the role of public enagagement in energy and climate governance, and I hold a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.

In 2019-2020, I was an Expert Lead to Climate Assembly UK, the first national Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change, established by six parliamentary select committees in the House of Commons. From 2014-18, in a collaboration with Green Alliance, I investigated how politicians understand and respond to climate change.

I am a Trustee of the New Economics Foundation and an adviser to the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund. From 2015-2019 I was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of UKRI’s Energy Programme, and from 2011-15 a Council Member of the Natural Environment Research Council. Previously I was Vice-Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, advising the Prime Minister and First Ministers of the devolved administrations.

Career Details

 

Professor in Energy & Climate Governance, Lancaster University

Research:

  • UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship: Climate Citizens (in partnership with the Climate Change Committee and the Energy Systems Catapult)

Teaching:

  • LEC interdisciplinary second-year undergraduate module Energy, Economy & Environment (LEC 282)
  • LEC interdisciplinary MSc module Climate Change and Society

Research Fellow, Lancaster University (2014-2018)

  • Research Fellow: Supporting local officers and politicians in three UK cities to implement rapid climate action, 2019-2020
  • ESRC-funded PhD: How Members of Parliament understand and respond to climate change. CASE Studentship, with Lancaster University and Green Alliance. Awarded October 2018.
  • Research Associate: NERC-funded project Assessing mitigation deterrence effects of greenhouse gas removal techniques (PI Dr Nils Markusson); responsibility for focus groups and engagement methodologies

Independent consultancy, 2004-2017

  • Climate Change Leadership Programme, Green Alliance: Founder and manager of this development programme for Members of Parliament. Backed by three main political parties in the UK; worked with over 100 MPs to date
  • Energy research:
  • Cultures of Community Energy: Research project for the British Academy (2015-16)
  • Research and advocacy for Co-operatives UK, including two research publications, profiling the sector and putting forward policy proposals
  • Research into public and community engagement in energy for private clients including Airvolution (renewable energy developer) and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (philanthropic funders)Vice-chair of the Government Shared Ownership Taskforce (2014-15)
  • Research projects for Green Alliance, including publication of Demanding Less (2011); Grid 2.0 (2007); Establishment of Energy Entrepreneurs Network (2002-4)
  • The Low-carbon Lake District initiative: Advising the Lake District National Park Authority on its strategic response to climate change, including establishment of the UK’s first consumption-based local carbon budget

 2004-2011: Vice-Chair, Sustainable Development Commission

The UK Government’s independent advisory body on sustainable development, reporting to the Prime Minister and the First Ministers of the devolved administrations

 2001 – 2004: Director, Green Alliance

1998 – 2001: Head of Policy, Green Alliance

1997 - 1998: Policy Adviser, European Parliament, Brussels 

Web Links

www.rebeccawillis.co.uk

twitter: @bankfieldbecky

Who's Who 2020: https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-245678

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